Chinese authorities in the northwestern province of Xinjiang have banned Muslim officials and students from fasting during the month of Ramadan, prompting an exiled rights group to warn of new violence.
Guidance posted on numerous government websites called on Communist Party leaders to restrict Muslim religious activities during the holy month, including fasting and visiting mosques.
Xinjiang is home to about nine million Uighurs, largely a Muslim ethnic minority, many of whom accuse China's leaders of religious and political persecution.
The region has been rocked by repeated outbreaks of ethnic violence, but China denies claims of repression and relies on tens of thousands of Uighur officials to help it govern the province.
A statement from Zonglang township in Xinjiang's Kashgar district said that "the county committee has issued comprehensive policies on maintaining social stability during the Ramadan period.
"It is forbidden for Communist Party cadres, civil officials (including those who have retired) and students to participate in Ramadan religious activities."
The statement, posted on the Xinjiang government website, urged party leaders to bring "gifts" of food to local village leaders to ensure that they were eating during Ramadan.
Similar orders on curbing Ramadan activities were posted on other local government websites, with the educational bureau of Wensu county urging schools to ensure that students do not enter mosques during Ramadan.
'Administrative methods'
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more closer to God, pious and charitable.
An exiled rights group, the World Uyghur Congress, warned the policy would force "the Uighur people to resist [Chinese rule] even further."
"By banning fasting during Ramadan, China is using administrative methods to force the Uighur people to eat in an effort to break the fasting," said group spokesman Dilshat Rexit in a statement.
Xinjiang saw its worst ethnic violence in recent times in July, 2009, when Uighurs attacked members of the nation's dominant Han ethnic group in the city of Urumqi, sparking clashes in which 200 people from both sides died, according to the government.
Source: Agencies/ Ajazeera
if u attack my papa house, I'll retaliate but if you are peace loving,I will embrace you
Posted: at 2-08-2012 09:49 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
aso4life1 at 2-08-2012 10:11 AM (12 years ago) (m)
if u attack my papa house, I'll retaliate but if you are peace loving,I will embrace you
Posted: at 2-08-2012 10:11 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
Nigeria lost out of the quater final stage of the world u 20 cup because the coach and all the players were fasting . It was a RAMADAM FAST and they all played like RAMS. Its time governments brings some sanity into the insane things people do in the name of religion.
Posted: at 2-08-2012 11:41 AM (12 years ago) | Newbie
Nigeria lost out of the quater final stage of the world u 20 cup because the coach and all the players were fasting . It was a RAMADAM FAST and they all played like RAMS. Its time governments brings some sanity into the insane things people do in the name of religion.
LOL
" If its not for love - its for nothing " [/size]
Posted: at 2-08-2012 11:52 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
aso4life1 at 2-08-2012 11:56 AM (12 years ago) (m)
Quote from: kiloman on 2-08-2012 11:41 AM
Nigeria lost out of the quater final stage of the world u 20 cup because the coach and all the players were fasting . It was a RAMADAM FAST and they all played like RAMS. Its time governments brings some sanity into the insane things people do in the name of religion.
u dey vex oo ..lol
if u attack my papa house, I'll retaliate but if you are peace loving,I will embrace you
Posted: at 2-08-2012 11:56 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
That should sound a warning message to Saudi Arabia . Tit for that . If you can have an religious zealot of a country like Saudi Arabia oppressing non-muslims through unpopular proclamations recently made why can't you have an atheist inclined communist country like china to to proclaim things in her own most benefical way . Tit 4 tat?
" If its not for love - its for nothing " [/size]
Posted: at 2-08-2012 11:57 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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